My views do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.
We docked in Anping, which is the harbor area of the city of Tainan, in the country of Taiwan (not to be confused with Taipei, which I often mis-said, event though I could remember which was which). So Anping to Tainan is kind of like Shimizu to Shizuoka. The big city nearby is Kaohsiung, which is like the Tokyo to Yokohama.
I know! When I first read my Japan itinerary, it was basically gibberish to me- now I’m using these places as reference points!
My friend Jack from the Coral Princess, lives in Kaohsiung.
Jack had to work the first day, so we made plans to meet up on the second day.
Tainan (Anping), Taiwan
Taiwan’s oldest city, Tainan blends Dutch-era forts, Qing-dynasty temples, and breezy mangrove wetlands. The metro area counts ~1.86 million people and Tainan safeguards hundreds of nationally protected monuments and temple festivals that feel world-class. Expect a laid-back food capital vibe: alleyway shrines, teahouses, and night markets meet canals and salt-flat sunsets. September is hot and humid—average highs around 32 °C / 90 °F and lows near 25 °C / 77 °F—so plan cool indoor breaks between Anping’s historic lanes and the old city’s cultural core.
History:
Tainan became Taiwan’s first major entrepôt when the Dutch established Fort Zeelandia at Anping in 1624. In 1662, Ming loyalist Koxinga (Zheng Chenggong) expelled the Dutch and set up a Han Chinese base, jump-starting migration, irrigation, and trade. Under the Qing (1683–1895), Tainan served as Taiwan’s administrative center, developing the canal network and a dense tapestry of temples and guild halls. Japan’s rule (1895–1945) modernized roads, schools, and industry; Art Deco landmarks and model gardens date from this era. After 1945, Tainan ceded political primacy to Taipei but retained its identity as Taiwan’s cultural and culinary heart, famed for danzai noodles, milkfish, and temple parades. Today the city spotlights adaptive reuse—sugar mills turned creative parks and warehouses intertwined with banyans—while nearby Taijiang National Park restores lagoon ecology once vital to salt and oyster industries. Strolling Tainan is to time-travel: from Dutch ramparts to Confucian courtyards to Japanese-era department stores, all alive with incense and scooters.
Itinerary:
Arrival: Saturday September 20, 8:00am (please allow time for port clearance)
Departure: Sunday September 21, All aboard: 4:00pm Sail away: 5:00pm
Weather
- Average Temps (Sept): High 32 °C / 90 °F; Low 25 °C / 77 °F.
- Climate: Tropical, humid; late summer is typhoon/rain season. Midday UV is strong; brief downpours likely.
- What to Wear: Light, breathable fabrics, sunhat, sunscreen, compact umbrella or rain jacket; cushioned walking shoes or sandals that handle slick streets.
Near the Pier:
Cruise Ship Dock: Port of Anping Berth #1 & 2
Address: No. 16, Ln. 23, Xingang Rd., South Dist., Tainan City 702028
Address in Mandarin: **中文地址：**702028 台南市南區新港路23巷16號
Ship → terminal: ~50 m Ship → port gate: ~300 m
To “Town Center” (West Central): ~4 km
Terminal: Tourist information, Wi-Fi
Nearby Essentials
Pharmacy – COSMED 康是美 (1F, No. 760, Sec.2, Yonghua Rd., Anping; ~1.5 km).
ATM – Chunghwa Post, Anping Branch (No. 125, Anbei Rd., Anping; ATMs inside; ~2 km).
Grocery/Snacks & ATM – 7-ELEVEN, No. 381, Guoping Rd., Anping (~1.4 km).
Nearest Church – Our Lady Queen of China Cathedral, No. 195, Kaishan Rd. (West Central; ~5 km).
Nearest Golf – Tainan Golf Country Club (Xinhua; ~20–25 km).
Shopping (mall/market) – T.S. Mall (East Dist.; ~8 km) and Anping Old Street (historic market street; ~2 km).
Getting Around:
- 🚶 Walking: Anping’s forts, Old Street, and Tree House cluster 1.5–2.5 km from the pier (20–35 min on foot).
- 🚌 Public Transit: Tainan City Buses connect Anping ↔ West Central; base fares from NT$18 (use EasyCard/iPASS).
- 🚖 Taxis: Plentiful; metered: NT$85 first 1.5 km + NT$5 per 250 m; late-night surcharge. Anping → Confucius Temple (4–5 km): ~NT$160–220 (~US$5–7). Many drivers are cash-only. Have your destination written in Chinese (e.g., 台南市中西區孔廟). Night surcharge applies. In Taipei, Uber and taxis are abundant.
- 🚴 Bike Rentals: YouBike 2.0 stations across Anping and downtown; NT$10 / 30 min for first 4 hours (tap EasyCard or credit card).
- 🚗 Car Rentals: Not at the pier; options near Tainan Station or city hotels. Useful for Guanziling/Wushantou day trips.
- Hop-On Hop-Off: While there isn’t an official HOPO, Tourist loop Bus 99 covers Anping–Taijiang; 88 runs city heritage loops on weekends/holidays. Expect 15–30 min headways.
Getting to Tainan City from Anping
Taxi (easiest): Anping pier → Confucius Temple / Hayashi Dept. Store (4–5 km, 15–20 min): ~NT$160–220; cash preferred. Uber also operates in Tainan.
- Bus: Take City Bus 99 (Anping–Taijiang) toward town, or 88 (weekends/holidays) heritage loop; tap EasyCard(convenience-store top-ups). Allow 20–35 min depending on traffic/headways.
Witnessing:
Fort Zeelandia (Anping Old Fort / 熱蘭遮城) Perched above the old lagoon, this Dutch stronghold (1624) still feels like a sea outpost—red brick under a white watchtower, cannon embrasures catching the breeze, and views that make the harbor’s past easy to imagine. Wander the ramparts, then drift into nearby lanes for shrimp rolls and sword-lion door guardians.
Hours: Fri–Sun 08:30–20:00
Tickets: ~NT$70 adult / NT$35 conc. Plan: 60–90 min
Access (from pier): ~2.0 km; 8–10 min taxi (~NT$120–150) or Bus 99
Address: No. 82, Guosheng Rd., Anping Dist.
✨ Tip: Late-afternoon light is best on the ramparts; pair with Tree House.
Anping Tree House + Former Tait & Co. Merchant House
（安平樹屋＋原英商德記洋行Once a 19th-century British trading house beside Anping’s old harbor, this neoclassical arcade now hosts exhibits on maritime trade and opens onto the banyan-engulfed warehouse known as the Tree House. Catwalks thread through roots and rafters, shafts of light stripe the brick, and an elevated boardwalk peeks back toward the water.
Hours: Daily 08:30–17:30 Tickets: ~NT$70 adult / NT$35 conc. (combo)
Plan: 60–90 min Access: ~2.2 km; 8–10 min taxi (~NT$120–150) or Bus 99 (“Anping Tree House”)
Address: No. 108, Gubao St., Anping Dist.
✨ Tip: Walkways get slippery after rain—wear grippy soles.
Tainan Confucius Temple（臺南孔廟）
Step from traffic into a hush of cypress shade, vermilion walls, and stone courtyards where Taiwan’s earliest Confucian academy (1665) still teaches restraint and order. Read calligraphy tablets, slip through a moon gate, and listen for a distant student rehearsal.
Hours: Grounds ~08:30–17:00 (halls vary) Tickets: small fee for main halls (~NT$50)
Plan: 30–45 min Access: 4.5–5 km; 15–20 min taxi (~NT$160–220)
Address: No. 2, Nanmen Rd., West Central Dist.
✨ Tip: Around late Sept, ask about Teachers’ Day rites.
Chihkan Tower (Fort Provintia / 赤嵌樓)
Layered history in a single block: Dutch foundations, Qing pavilions, koi ponds, and lantern-lit walkways that glow after sunset. Climb the terraces for a pocket view of old-town roofs, then browse the small shrine and stone tablets.
Hours: Daily 08:30–21:30 (last ticket ~21:00) Tickets: ~NT$50 adult / NT$25 conc.
Plan: 45–60 min Access: ~5 km; 15–20 min taxi (~NT$170–230)
Address: No. 212, Sec. 2, Minzu Rd., West Central Dist.
✨ Tip: Arrive just before sunset to catch day-to-night ambiance.
Sicao Green Tunnel（四草綠隧）— Taijiang National Park
A pole-pushed skiff glides beneath a vaulted tunnel of mangroves, water mirror-calm except for ripples from mullet and fiddler crabs. Egrets watch from exposed roots while guides point out the old salt-lagoon ecology.
Boats: Day rides ~20–30 min Tickets: ~NT$200 adult / NT$100 conc.
Plan: 60–90 min incl. waiting
Access: ~5 km; 10–15 min taxi (~NT$200–260) or Bus 99
✨ Tip: Bring insect repellent; trips pause in heavy rain.
Eternal Golden Castle（二鯤鯓砲臺 / 億載金城）
An earthen-rampart coastal fort with grassy berms, a moat, and squat cannon that once guarded Anping’s approaches—part picnic lawn, part time capsule.
Hours: Daily ~08:30–17:30 Tickets: ~NT$70 adult
Plan: 30–45 min Access: ~3.5 km; 12–15 min taxi (~NT$150–200)
✨Tip: Best at golden hour when the walls warm and sea breeze picks up.
Learning:
National Museum of Taiwan History（國立臺灣歷史博物館）
A beautifully paced timeline from Austronesian origins to today, with lifesize streetscapes, ship models, and crisp English labels—perfect context before walking the city.
Hours: Tue–Sun 09:00–17:00 (Mon closed) Tickets: ~NT$100 adult / NT$50 conc.
Plan: 1.5–2 hrs Access: ~10 km; 25–35 min taxi (~NT$280–360)
✨ Tip: Pop up to the rooftop for lagoon views.
Chimei Museum（奇美博物館）
A grand, European-style complex of violins, sculpture, fine art, and a celebrated arms-and-armor hall. Sunlit white galleries and reflecting pools make a graceful, unhurried visit.
Hours: 09:30–17:30 (Wed closed) Tickets: ~NT$200 adult (special shows extra)
Plan: 2–3 hrs
Access: ~14 km; 30–40 min taxi (~NT$350–450) or train to Bao’an + short taxi
✨ Tip: Weekends can book out—reserve time slots.
Tainan Art Museum — Buildings 1 & 2（臺南市美術館）
Two personalities in dialogue: a 1930s Art-Deco police HQ repurposed for shows, and a latticed, light-filled modern building by Shigeru Ban. Cool air, thoughtful curation, and a café between venues.
Hours: Tue–Fri 10:00–18:00; Sat 10:00–21:00; Sun 10:00–18:00; Mon closed
Tickets: single ticket covers both (specials extra) Plan: 1–2 hrs
Access: ~5 km; 15–20 min taxi (~NT$170–230)
✨ Tip: Saturday evenings are quieter and open late.
Ten Drum Cultural Village（十鼓仁糖文創園區）
A sugar mill reborn: drum performances that thrum in your ribs, skywalks over old machinery, and a chimney slide for pure nostalgia—plenty to do between set showtimes.
Hours: Vary; core daytime with shows (e.g., ~11:00 & 15:00) Tickets: ~NT$399–489
Plan: 2–3 hrs Access: ~12 km; 30–35 min taxi (~NT$320–420)
✨Tip: Check performance schedule before you go.
Discovery:
Anping Old Street（安平老街 / 延平街）
A warren of lanes where snacks sizzle and door lintels sport fierce sword-lions. Nibble shrimp rolls, peanut candy, and oyster cakes while browsing tiny shops and side-temples.
Hours: Shops vary; busiest afternoons–evening Tickets: Free (pay per snack)
Plan: 45–60 min Access: ~2 km; 8–10 min taxi (~NT$120–150) or walk from Fort Zeelandia
✨ Tip: Look up to spot different sword-lion styles.
Blueprint Cultural & Creative Park（藍晒圖文創園區）
Playful murals and indie design shops in repurposed dorms; the famous “blueprint” wall is selfie-ready. Ideal for gift browsing and a coffee before drifting to Shennong Street.
Hours: ~10:00–21:00 (Tue closed) Tickets: Free
Plan: 45–60 min Access: ~5 km; 15–20 min taxi (~NT$170–230)
✨ Tip: Best photographed near dusk when lights come on.
Hiking
Taijiang Park boardwalks (Sicao) — flat, easy; 30–60 min; taxi ~NT$220.
Wushantou Reservoir & Hatta Yoichi Park — short dam viewpoints and lakeside paths; 45–90 min; 40–60 min drive. ✨ Tip: Pair with Guantian milkfish lunch.
Hutoushan/Hutoupi Scenic Area (Xinhua) — lakeside loops; easy-moderate; 45 min drive.
Shopping
Hayashi Department Store (1932)—heritage emporium with rooftop shrine; 45–60 min; 5 km. ✨ Rooftop city views.
Shennong Street—heritage lane by night with indie bars and galleries. ✨ Go after dusk.
T.S. Mall—modern mall for essentials; 20 min taxi. ✨ Many cafés/tea chains inside.
Exploring:
Guanziling Mud Hot Springs（關子嶺泥漿溫泉）— Baihe
A hillside resort area famous for silky, mineral-rich mud springs—one of Taiwan’s few. Soak in milky pools, then stroll past century-old bathhouses and camphor trees; nearby teahouses and simple eateries make it an easy half-day retreat.
Travel time (from Anping pier): ~60–70 min by car. Best via taxi/charter.
Cost: Public/day-use resorts typically NT$350+ (varies by venue).
Plan: 2–3 hrs soaking + café stop.
Access: Arrange a round-trip charter (~NT$2,500–3,500 per car, group-friendly) or combine with Wushantou (below).
✨ Tip: Bring a dark swimsuit, flip-flops, and a small towel; some spas require caps.
Wushantou Reservoir & Hatta Yoichi Park (烏山頭水庫・八田與一紀念園區）— Guantian
Elegant 1930s engineering meets lakeside calm: causeways, lookouts, and exhibits on Hatta Yoichi, the Japanese engineer who powered the Chianan irrigation miracle. Maple and flame trees frame blue water; it’s quietly photogenic and historically rich.
Travel time: ~50–60 min by car from Anping.
Cost: Site entry commonly ~NT$100 (special areas extra).
Plan: 60–90 min (add time if pairing with nearby lunch/tea).
Access: Best by taxi/charter; pair with Guanziling or Ten Drum/Chimei for a fuller day.
✨ Tip: Read the short panels first—viewpoints make more sense once you see the irrigation map.
Cigu Salt Mountain & Beimen Salt Fields（七股鹽山・北門井仔腳鹽田）— Taijiang Coast
Walk a landscape shaped by sun and brine: climb the gleaming Salt Mountain, taste salt-flavored snacks, then head to Jingzaijiao tile-paved pans where mirrored pools reflect late-day skies. Birdlife is plentiful; early arrivals of black-faced spoonbills often begin in autumn.
Travel time: ~35–50 min by car from Anping.
Cost: Salt Mountain area ~NT$60–200 (by venue); tile fields free or small donation.
Plan: 1.5–2.5 hrs including photo stops and snacks.
Access: Taxi/charter easiest; limited bus service.
✨Tip: Go late afternoon for cooler temps and golden light; bring a hat—it’s bright and breezy on the flats.
Kaohsiung:
Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s warm-weather port capital of the south, blends working harbor grit with bayside parks, art warehouses, and a world-class performance complex. Home to about 2.73 million people, the city stretches from seaside promenades to mangroves and hill temples, with breezy bike paths and a mellow café culture. Visitors dip between creative hubs like Pier-2, lotus-ringed temples in Zuoying, and the shining Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum inland. Getting here from Anping is straightforward: taxi to Tainan TRA Station (15–20 min), then a 35–60 min TRA ride to Kaohsiung Station; or taxi to Tainan HSR and zip 12 min to Zuoying for the fastest rail option.
Getting There at a Glance (from Anping Pier)
- Taxi → Tainan TRA Station: 4–5 km, 15–20 min, ~NT$160–220; TRA to Kaohsiung: 35–60 min, ~NT$60–120.
- Taxi → Tainan HSR: 25–35 min, ~NT$350–500; HSR to Zuoying: ~12 min, ~NT$135–140; MRT 10–15 min to central sights. (Rail times/fares per operator; confirm day-of.)
Witnessing
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum（佛光山佛陀紀念館）
Eight pagodas frame the long processional way to a vast main hall capped by a giant seated Buddha—solemn, photogenic, and surprisingly visitor-friendly with eateries and shaded arcades.
Hours: Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00; Sat–Sun 09:00–19:00; Tue closed. Admission: Free.
Plan: 2–3 hrs.
Access from Anping: HSR to Zuoying → taxi 30–45 min (~NT$500–800) or bus (longer); private charters available.
✨ Tip: Arrive late afternoon—cooler temps and golden light along the pagoda axis.
Lotus Pond & Dragon–Tiger Pagodas（蓮池潭、龍虎塔）
Walk the lakeside past pavilions and temples to the famous enter the dragon, exit the tiger towers—freshly reopened inside after renovations—with breezy views over the water.
Hours/Fees: Lotus Pond open 24/7; temples typically ~08:00–18:00; Pagoda interior reopened Apr 13, 2025; sites generally free.
Plan: 60–90 min.
Access: HSR Zuoying → taxi 10–15 min (~NT$120–170); or local bus.
✨Tip: Go near sunset when the pavilions and water glow for photos.
Learning
National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying / 衛武營國家藝術文化中心)
A sweeping, banyan-canopy-inspired complex by Mecanoo; peek into the plaza, opera house, and public spaces on a guided tour.
Tours/Fees: Public-space day tours from ~NT$120; some hall/architectural tours ~NT$300. Hours (venues): typically ~11:00–20:00; check program days.
Plan: 60–90 min (tour) or longer for a show.
Access: From MRT Weiwuying (O10) Exit 6, steps away.
✨ Tip: English tours run on select weekends—book ahead.
Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts（高雄市立美術館）
Bright, modern galleries in a park setting; rotating contemporary and international shows.
Hours: Tue–Sun 09:30–17:30; Admission: General areas often free; special exhibitions ticketed (buy on site or via platforms).
Plan: 1.5–2.5 hrs.
Access: MRT Aozihdi + short walk or taxi.
✨ Tip: Combine with a stroll through the adjacent Neiweipi Cultural Park.
Hamasen Museum of Taiwan Railway & HamaStar Mini Train（哈瑪星台灣鐵道館）
Model layouts, Kaohsiung port-rail history, and an outdoor mini train threading Pier-2’s warehouses—great for rail buffs and families.
Hours: Commonly 10:00–18:00 (Mon–Thu), 10:00–19:00 (Fri–Sun); Tue closed for some experiences. Tickets:Museum/mini-train bundle options available.
Plan: 60–90 min.
Access: In Pier-2 (Penglai warehouses); Light Rail Dayi/Penglai stops or walk from MRT Yanchengpu.
✨Tip: Book mini-train time slots on weekends to avoid queues.
Discovery
Pier-2 Art Center（駁二藝術特區）
Harborfront warehouses reborn as murals, sculptures, indie shops, and pop-up exhibits; much of the area is free & open air.
Hours: Outdoor zones open anytime; most warehouses 10:00–18:00 (Mon–Thu), 10:00–20:00 (Fri–Sun).
Plan: 2–3 hrs.
Access: Light Rail to Dayi/Penglai or MRT Yanchengpu, then stroll.
✨ Tip: Rent a YouBike to link Pier-2, Love River, and Xiziwan seaside.
Cijin Island（旗津） by Ferry
Five-minute harbor hop to beach promenades, seafood shacks, and lighthouse views.
Ferry: Gushan ⇄ Cijin every few minutes; pay cash or iPASS/EasyCard. Adult walk-on fares typically around NT$30 (cash) and ~NT$20–30 with e-card; seniors half-fare.
Plan: 2–4 hrs.
Access: MRT Sizihwan → short walk to Gushan Ferry Pier.
✨ Tip: Bring a hat—breezes are strong and shade is scarce on the spit.
Love River Cruise（愛之船）
Solar boats glide past riverfront cafés and the New Bay skyline—prettiest at dusk.
Duration/Price: ~20–30 min; adult fares commonly ~NT$150–200; Ambassador Hotel pier is a main boarding point.
Plan: 45–60 min with check-in.
Access: MRT City Council/Formosa Boulevard + short walk.
✨ Tip: Pair with a riverfront dinner, then hop the Light Rail back to Pier-2.
Handy Note on Transfers
From HSR Zuoying you’re 10–15 min by MRT/taxi to Lotus Pond, 20–30 min to Pier-2/Love River, and ~40 min to Fo Guang Shan.
Hidden Gems:
In Tainan:
Grand Matsu Temple – Only through deep darkness and tragedy did this elaborate royal palace become a sacred temple.
Shoaf Kepl Poets – A plaque by the roadside describes a three-dimensional glossary of an imagined language where words are numbers and numbers are words.
Saba Milkfish Museum – A small museum dedicated to one of the most popular fish in Taiwanese cuisine
Suehiro Shrine at Hayashi Department Store – On the roof of the oldest department store in Tainan stands a Shinto shrine dating back to the 1930’s.
Snail Alley – The residence of a Taiwanese literary scholar sits down an alleyway adorned with depictions of snails.
Tomb of the Netherlander – Behind a 300-year-old temple hides a small tomb said to house the bones of 17th century Dutch soldiers.
Sperm Whale Exhibition Hall – Nestled between the Sicao Green Tunnel and Dazhong Temple, an antiquated exhibition hall boasts the complete skeletons of mother and child sperm whales.
In Kaohsiung:
The Dome of Light – The world’s largest work of glass art hides in this stunning Taiwanese subway station.
MeiNong I-Chan – Hakka-style teahouse where everybody grinds their own tea.
The Imperial Japanese Navy Fengshan Wireless Communications Station – This former military instillation was turned into a discipline center by the Taiwanese Navy
Kaohsiung National Stadium – This dragon-shaped sports arena is the world’s largest solar-powered stadium.
Ocean Fantasy Museum – An antiquated aquarium housed in a converted government anti-nuclear bunker.
Xiziwan Tunnel – A 100-year-old Japanese command center is now a unique underground university walkway with periodic exhibits.
Cihin Tunnel – A Japanese-era military tunnel is now a psychedelic art exhibit.
Arkansas Diner – Down home Arkansas comfort food comes with a side of American pop culture kitsch
Buddha’s Tooth Relic – At a museum dedicated to the millenia-old rites and art of Buddhism, the Buddha’s reputed tooth is held as an object of worship.
Shoyoen – This unique blend of Japanese and Western architecture provides a glimpse into the lives of the Japanese elites who once ruled Taiwan.
Cijin Shell Gallery – This seaside museum boasts a colorful collection of over 3,000 shells, the largest in Taiwan.
Tianliao Moon World – Visit Taiwan’s badlands, which allows visitors to feel like they’re walking on the moon.
Hongmaogang Baoan Temple – A rare Japanese-style temple and a Shinzo Abe Statue, honoring both spirits of the past and modern connections between Taiwan and Japan
Haiqiang Kindergarten Slide – Visitors to the Nanmenkou Park (South Gate Park) in Kaohsiung, Taiwan will be struck by the sight of an old concrete spiral slide, its staircase flanked by red wrought iron railings. No one can use this slide, as the way up is blocked by iron bars.
Rather, it is one of the few enduring traces of Haiqiang Kindergarten, built on the site for children of Taiwan’s Naval officers and sailors in 1961. The kindergarten was later torn down to make way for a park, but the slide remained as an odd commemoration of the space’s past.
A sign nearby informs visitors of the slide’s history and dwells on its architectural details, from its “arc-shaped handrails” to the “Tuscan column” with “classical Ionic capital decoration” that holds up the slide.
Tasting:
Danzai noodles 擔仔麵 — NT$45–80 Tainan’s signature snack: a small bowl of springy wheat noodles in a sweet–savory shrimp–pork broth, topped with minced pork, one poached shrimp, bean sprouts, garlic, and cilantro.
✨ Tip: It’s snack-sized—order two if hungry.
Coffin bread 棺材板 — NT$70–120 A thick slab of toasted milk bread is hollowed like a box and filled with creamy chicken/seafood ragout, then capped with its “lid.” Crisp outside, silky inside—born in Tainan in the 1940s.
✨ Tip: Best eaten hot and shared.
Milkfish dishes — NT$120–200 Tainan’s beloved milkfish (虱目魚) shows up as porridge, clear soup, or pan-fried belly—mild, buttery, and rich in collagen.
✨ Tip: If bones worry you, ask for “無刺” (deboned).
Shrimp rolls 蝦捲 (Anping) — NT$60–90 Minced shrimp (often with a little pork) is wrapped in tofu skin and deep-fried to a crackly golden log; dunk in sweet vinegar or wasabi–mustard sauce.
✨ Tip: Pair with fish-ball soup for a classic set.
Mango shaved ice — NT$80–150 A fluffy mountain of shaved ice piled with fresh mango, condensed milk, and often sorbet or panna cotta—summer in a bowl.
✨ Tip: Portions run large—one bowl for two is perfect after night-market grazing.
Markets/Food Halls: Garden Night Market, Wusheng Night Market, and Old Street snack stalls (see Nightlife).
Mexican: (Funkoo Mexican Cuisine & Bar; Dakou Taco (both West Central). Check hours.
(Irish pubs aren’t really a Tainan thing; try craft-cocktail bars like TCRC or casual Dive Bar.)
Nightlife:
Garden Night Market（花園夜市）
Part night market, part carnival—rows of grills, drink stalls, and game booths under a neon haze. Go early or after 21:00, graze widely, and bring small bills.
Hours: Thu, Sat, Sun 17:00–00:00 Tickets: Free; bites NT$30–150
Plan: 60–90 min (or more) Access: 6 km; 20-25 min taxi (NT$220–280)
✨ Tip: Wear easy-to-clean shoes; it can be dusty after dry spells.
Wusheng Night Market（武聖夜市）
A slightly more local vibe than Garden—wide aisles of grills and games; try oyster omelets, grilled squid, pepper buns, and fresh fruit drinks.
Hours: Sat 17:30–00:00 Tickets: Free; bites NT$30–150
Plan: 60–90 min Access: 5-6 km 20-25 min taxi (NT$220–280)
✨ Tip: Arrive at opening to snag seats and shorter lines; bring small bills/coins.
Cocktail standouts: Bar TCRC, The Bar – Wanderer; casual: Dive Bar on Hai-an Rd.
Travel Tips:
- Cash vs. Card: Night markets and small temples are cash-centric; convenience stores/chain cafés take cards and EasyCard. ATMs are common at 7-Eleven and Chunghwa Post.
- Typhoon notes: September can bring storms; check advisories and allow buffer time returning to the ship.
- Water: Tap water is treated but not recommended for direct drinking—use bottled/boiled water; ice at reputable venues is usually filtered.
- Etiquette: Temples welcome visitors—dress modestly, don’t block worshippers, and avoid flash where signs request.
- Spend your Taiwan money! This is our final stop in Taiwan for a while.
September 20, 2025
I worked for a bit in the morning and got the gossip on what was worth seeing.
I was very interested in the boat ride through the mangroves, but the residents who had gone were coming back saying it was really hot, buggy, underwhelming. I decided to leave it as it existed in my imagination.
Lyn and I set out for adventure. We decided to check out the Tree House. When one of the local attractions that my Assistant, Chad finds shows up on a Hidden Gems list, it immediately moves up my list of things to see.
It looked like the levee was decorated.
And then we found the Tree House.
It was cool to climb around. There was scaffolding supporting the branches and stairs that allowed us to see it from different levels.
I also had a great time chatting with Lyn as we explored.
Then we wandered around and found a temple.
We wandered through a market, but they didn’t have the coffin bread I was now hungry for.
We headed back to the ship because Lyn had made plans to meet up with some other residents to go to Costco. She asked if I wanted to come too.
I was about to make fun of her – Here we were on the other side of the world- why would they spend their precious time doing something as mundane as…
But I caught my words before they came out.
I love going to Costco.
And now I had an invitation to go to Costco… in TAIWAN!
That was EXACTLY what I wanted to do!
There was a long line to get in (fairly normal).
But inside, there was a shopping cart escalator unlike any I had seen before!
How did it do that?!
I didn’t buy anything.
I left this group and walked to the night market to meet some other friends. I hadn’t eaten enough samples at Costco, because I was saving my appetite.
Then I met up with Rina, Robert, Paul and David. They bought a bunch of food, and I tried most of it until I simply couldn’t eat anymore.
That night we started getting messages that we were going to have to leave first thing in the morning to avoid a storm. We still had to complete exit immigration, so the plan for the morning seemed to change hour by hour.
I messaged Jack and gave him the update. I told him I might not be able to meet him – or even leave the terminal, but he insisted on riding his scooter an hour to meet me anyway, just in case I could.
September 21, 2025
That morning I was on the first shuttle to the terminal. I begged, bartered and wove elaborate stories in an attempt to gain permission to just slip out to the port gates. But they wouldn’t let me leave the building,
I was so upset to be so close yet so far away.
I really appreciated that Jack came all that way for the chance to see me. I hope to return to Taiwan and actually get to spend time with him another day.
Next time, I’ll definitely make sure we meet up as soon as possible—you never know what can change at the last minute.
When people tell me how their plans have been ruined by itinerary changes, I tell them this story.
There are plenty of other disappointments in life, but that’s part of both cruising and life itself.
What is guaranteed is that not everything will go according to plan.
We said goodbye to Taiwan before I wanted to and headed for the Philippines.